Photo hosting blocking

[marisa]

First let me say I totally 100% understand why forums or other member based sites must not allow people to constantly post links to other sites, advertisments, etc. And I totally support the policy of blocking out those names so they cannot be posted stopping the "free advertising" among other things.

But I need someone to answer me this....why is it being taken so far as not even letting members post using photo accounts from other similar websites? I think we all know what I am talking about. Today I couldn't even post a couple pictures of my iguanas on the "other" forum because they were in my gallery here. That is not the only forum it happens on. There are many others I've noticed who have blocked photo accounts from other forums with photo accounts. So I am *not* singling anyone out here. Please keep that in mind.

I find this is taking it too far personally. By basically "telling" people which photo provider they can post with on a forum might not be wrong from a legality point of view or even a buisness point of view. But it sure is crappy from a moral point of view in MHO. Especially when most of the forums who practice this do not even include a tiny mention of this in their T.O.S. The "other" forum certainly doesn't but they still told me I had violated terms of service by trying to post that photo and could be banned if I continued. Even though clearly no where in the TOS did I violate any rule. I re-read it many times.

If there was anything in any T.O.S. of any forum that does this, I would happily understand it, abide by it, and agree with it as its the private forum owners choice really....but when no mentions are being made, and this stuff is happening it makes me want to shout at all these wonderful websites (they really are great because where else would info be so widely available?) that they need to stop this childish and apparently secretive "blocking" (until you get a warning that is) and start working together..............
Advertising for each other, helping out the entire website reptile community instead of fighting with each other basically and making people choose between forums or else fear getting blocked from one or all.

Sorry I just needed to vent about this as after the "warning" I recieved just now from another forum, I was upset that this is how reptile forums in the online reptile community deal with competition.

Jeff- and BTW this is not a shot at this website as I stated, not sure if it even happens here, its just a general rant Just wanted to make sure thats known.

Marisa

[marisa]

Just wanted too add....

Maybe I am ignorant to the way websites are run or the way forums are run...so please don't take my post as "from an expert" and instead try to explain what the h*ll is going on to me.

Marisa

[gonesnakee]

I ALSO THINK THAT PEOPLE HAVE BECOME RATHER "CHILDISH' IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THEIR SITES. "YOUR POLITICS" SHOULDN'T NEGATIVELY BE AFFECTING "US" THE PEOPLE VISITING/USING "YOUR" SITE. YOU GUYS ARE WAY TOO UPTIGHT FOR MOST OF US "HERPERS" & NEED TO LIGHTEN UP. IF YOU HAVE A WORTHY SITE, PEOPLE WILL USE IT. IT'S LIKE YOU ARE TRYING TO HIDE THE OTHER SITES FROM US OR EXPECT A "COMMITTMENT TO YOUR SITE" OR SOMETHING. ALL YOU WEBMASTERS NEED TO LEARN HOW TO LIGHTEN UP & LET PEOPLE "SURF". MY THOUGHTS ANYHOW. MARK ISBELL - GONE SNAKEE!

[Shane Tesser]

Your 100% right...and it is all childish. The truth is Marisa, competition is often fierce from one site to another. You have to keep in mind that the majority of sites out there are simple money machines...buy or belong to their forums...or go somewhere else. This has never been the policy here, nor do we believe in the blockage of other photo hosting accounts. There is a few that we simply do not support, but that is in no way because we hate said website. In those cases its a server support/programming issue.

The whole truth of the matter is that various sites out there see others as a threat. We do not treat these matters as such as this site was built and maintained by an enthusiast who truly loves providing what he does to the internet community. Nothing would please any of us more than to see everyone get along. But as other sites grow and members jump from one to another...so does their advertising and support, which makes them bitter. So in theyre minds blocking another providers photo hosting account somewhat stops the exposure of another site to other no knowing members...therefore helps keep their site together.

The rapid growth of this site has bothered one or two sites out there. It should. Our sense of community here is our strong suit. A formula that others have not been able to successfully follow. With that comes a good reputation, more members...while other sites have the reverse effects. The sad matter of the fact is that others dont realize that the herp community needs unity. Unity will lead to good husbandry, which will lead to a good reputation for the entire hobby in general. It is really up to you as members to pick and choose those that support the hobby positively, spend your time, money, and efforts surrounded by those who believe in the same virtues that you do. If that could happen, then perhaps there would not be this fighting between sites. Until everyone comes together...there will still always be this black cloud that hangs over the herper community. I hope this makes sense...feel free to email me with any other questions..Shane@ssnakess.com.

[josefg]

The photo get blocked because when PHP (the language used to build this site) is parsing through the text it just put stars instead of the url, so if the url happens to be in the address of the picture, that too will get stars.

As from not linking to other sites... yeah it may be childish but it didn't start from the ssnakess.com management.

[Lisa]

I can understand why webmasters don't want links to competing sites. Even though it is a hobby for some people, it's also a business that supports it's self from members and ads. I'm guessing that the limitations in the software prevent them from differentiating between photolinks and regular links.

[marisa]

I totally understand it didn't start here. Actually I posted about it here because this forum is the only one that wouldn't delete my post, flame me or block me for mentioning it. And i love that. Thanks for the great explanation Shane as well.

Also just as a follow up, I did recieve a response to a email of mine about this to another forum and its mods. They polietly said it was because of the software but it wouldn't change that my photos won't show up. *shrug*



marisa